Jeri Lee Smith

April 19, 1944 - May 29, 2006

April 19, 1944 - May 29, 2006

June 01, 2006

Mrs. Jeri Lee Smith, 62, of North Tenth Street, Niles, Michigan, died following an extended illness at 5 a.m. Monday, May 29, 2006, in her home.

Mrs. Smith was born on April 19, 1944, in Niles, to Harry and Viola (Swift) Swartz. She was a lifetime resident of Niles. Jeri retired in January 2003 after 18 years of service as the executive assistant to Ron Sather, the C.E.O. and president of the Niles Chamber of Commerce. She had also previously been employed with the Orchard Hills Country Club as an administrative assistant, the Niles Daily Star, YMCA, Montgomery Wards, Simplicity Pattern Company, Veni's Candy Store, and as the secretary for the Pokagon Township in the 1960s.

Jeri was a member of the Mary and Deborah Circle at Wesley United Methodist Church, was a past member of the Niles Noon Optimist Club, Berrien County Civitan Club, Friends of Big Brothers/Big Sisters Board and the Four Flags Area Council on Tourism. In the past, she was an avid bowler, winning many trophies with her husband. Jeri was also a Girl Scout leader. She helped raise funds for the fireworks display in Niles, the Niles Riverfront Park and Amphitheater, the Welcome to Niles Sign, Thermo Imaging for the Niles Fire Department, and was involved with "Santa's Arrival" at both the Amtrak Station and the Amphitheater.

Advertisement

On June 30, 1967, in Niles, she married Billy Melvin Smith, who survives.

Funeral services for Jeri Lee Smith will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, June 2, 2006, in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Emmett H. Kadwell Jr. of Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles, officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today and one hour prior to the services Friday in the funeral home.